Check out this Social Experiment in London
Building community is of great importance when you’re looking to help local businesses and neighborhoods thrive regardless of economic times. Well, Space Makers Agency has been testing out a social experiment approach in Brixton Village in London called the ‘empty shops project’ to fill 20 empty places that had remained unoccupied for many months.
Their approach definitely draws completely outside the lines, but has also proven that it just might work. Basically, they’ve identified 20 local artists, activists and other social entrepreneurs to offer these spaces completely rent-free for the first 3-months!
“Our approach is to start with what is already there: the stories of a place and the people who live there; its unused or underused buildings; the skills and experience that exist within every neighbourhood and workplace; the desires of everyone connected to a place or project.” -spacemakers.org
As you can imagine, this is amazing news for any start-up or solo-prenuer, basically a dream come true and is built on the premise that it allows you to ‘try out’ your creative idea to see if it truly can invoke public support and a sustainable business. This was very much a win-win agreement for all involved. The community benefited by the new presence within the marketplace, the landlords had potential clients that would already be showing signs of success before signing and the owners had a free 90 days to see if their idea was truly profitable! What could be more LUX, right?
“Our role is as a catalyst, bringing out the possibilities which were already present in a situation and making connections which might not have been obvious.” –spacemakers.org.uk
What we loved most about this concept is that Space Makers Agency really found a creative way to find tenants, by simultaneously supporting the local economy.
To check out more about the community and new business, visit spacemakers.org.uk.
How does this innovative approach to ‘space’ resonate with you LUX Nation? Do you see the value of what Space Makers Agency is all about?
Tagged in: creative space, brixton village, space makers agency, social experiment, local economy,
